serpico-collection.com), bringing Wicker Park a bigger selection of unique formal and dressy casual items. “It’s really different from what’s out there,” says Serpico Kamhout, a lifelong Chicagoan and former graphic designer. “Items are made from leather and silk with…

Serpico Opens in Wicker Park

No, Not Frank Serpico . . .

After years of selling her clothing and jewelry in local boutiques, online, and at trunk shows, Melissa Serpico Kamhout recently opened her first boutique, Serpico (1514 N. Ashland Ave.; 773-252-5940, serpico-collection.com), bringing Wicker Park a bigger selection of unique formal and dressy casual items. “It’s really different from what’s out there,” says Serpico Kamhout, a lifelong Chicagoan and former graphic designer. “Items are made from leather and silk with…

By Bridget Maiellaro

Published Jan. 27, 2009

No, Not Frank Serpico . . .

After years of selling her clothing and jewelry in local boutiques, online, and at trunk shows, Melissa Serpico Kamhout recently opened her first boutique, Serpico (1514 N. Ashland Ave.; 773-252-5940, serpico-collection.com), bringing Wicker Park a bigger selection of unique formal and dressy casual items. “It’s really different from what’s out there,” says Serpico Kamhout, a lifelong Chicagoan and former graphic designer. “Items are made from leather and silk with this interesting weaving technique. It’s very textural.” Although most of her clothing is manufactured in Italy, Serpico Kamhout creates organic cotton silk screen T-shirts, knit tops, and accessories—including a sterling silver and leather woven necklace ($350) and a metallic leather woven bracelet ($160)—at her design studio, located in the same building as the boutique. Headbands, bracelets, and necklaces range from $150 to $700; clothing is between $50 and $1,200. Since the shop debuted this past November, Serpico Kamhout has offered 40 percent off her winter collection, which focuses on basic blacks with punches of bright colors. Discounted items include a black silk jersey dress with looped strings hanging off the back that can be worn with a belt (originally $780, now $470) and a hand-stitched black wool vest made with a combination of mohair and leather (originally $350, now $140). In mid-February, Serpico will introduce her spring line, including a silk color block top in multi-chromatic green and blue tones and a cap-sleeve top with an exaggerated ruffle collar over one shoulder in various colors. “I always think how to make women feel good about themselves and stand out in a crowd,” Serpico Kamhout says.

On Jan. 29th from 6 to 9 p.m., ten Roscoe Village stores—including With Grace (2238 W. Roscoe St.; 773-525-3700, withgraceshop.com), Cinnamon Boutique (2104 W. Roscoe St.; 773-281-2466, cinnamonboutique.com), and A Cooler Planet (2211 W. Roscoe St.; 773-248-1110, itsacoolerplanet.com)—participate in Good Karma Shopping by offering 10 percent off all merchandise to shoppers and donating 10 percent of each purchase to Minds Matter, a non-profit organization for local underprivileged high school students. Shoppers who hold on to their receipts also receive discounts, free drinks, or free appetizers from three contributing restaurants that evening. For a full list of participants, visit mindsmatter.org/chapters/chicago/charity_event.asp.

Halo [For Men] (654 W. Diversey Pkwy.; 773-248-4256, halochicago.com) celebrates the grand opening of its new Lincoln Park location with free drinks and appetizers Jan 29th from 6 to 8 p.m. Guests will receive a voucher for a free Halo [For Men] service as well as $100 credit to Nicholas Joseph Custom Tailors (21 W. Elm St. (inside Halo [For Men]); 312-895-1577, nicholas-joseph.com). Those who take part in the $1 first-and-ten raffle have the chance to win an autographed item from the Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould; proceeds go to The Goulden Touch Foundation. The new spa also offers $15 off haircuts, along with beer, Jan. 30th and 31st. E-mail halo@zapwater.com to reserve a spot at the grand opening; the suggested donation is $10.

The Best of the Rest

Lux Bar (18 E. Bellevue Pl.; 312-642-3400, luxbar.com) hosts a ladies night and trunk show on its upper level, featuring new necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and headbands from the local jewelry designer K.Amato (312-882-1366, k-amato.com). Jan. 28th from 6 to 8 p.m. The free event will include complimentary drinks and appetizers.

Kathryn Kerrigan (847-557-5067, kathrynkerrigan.com) holds a sale with 75 percent off pants, tops, dresses, skirts, and jackets, and up to 80 percent off shoes at its warehouse at 4129 Old Grand Avenue, Gurnee, through Feb. 1st.

Lincoln Park’s SHE Boutique (1024 W. Armitage Ave.; 773-880-8061) hosts an in-store Au Revoir sale with 50 to 70 percent off all designer dresses, skirts, tops, denim, jackets, and shoes, before closing on Feb. 1st. Customers who buy three or more items will get an additional 20 percent off. SHE Boutique’s other location (483 Central Ave., Highland Park; 847-926-0150) and Web site (shopsheboutique.com) will remain active.

Florodora (330 S. Dearborn St., 312-212-8860, florodora.com) holds its Scandal sale with 50 percent off all full-priced clothing and already discounted fall and winter collections through Feb. 6th. The event will also feature a $10 racks as well as extra savings on a changing daily special.

Virtu (2034 N. Damen Ave.; 773-235-3790, virtuchicago.com) offers 10 percent off all merchandise, up to 40 percent off holiday items, and 20 percent off select necklaces, candles, small leather goods and accessories, and photo albums through January 31st.

Until it closes Jan. 31st, The Beat of My Art (329 N. Center St., Naperville; 630-848-1128, thebeatofmyart.com) offers 10 to 60 percent off majority of jewelry, purses, paintings, journals, coasters, and other art pieces. Jewelry items will still be available online after the sale.